Saturday the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

In the course of his teaching Jesus said,
“Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes
and accept greetings in the marketplaces,
seats of honor in synagogues,
and places of honor at banquets.
They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext,

recite lengthy prayers.
They will receive a very severe condemnation.”

He sat down opposite the treasury
and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury.
Many rich people put in large sums.
A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents.
Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them,
“Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more
than all the other contributors to the treasury.
For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth,
but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had,
her whole livelihood.”
Mark 12:38-44

Prayer

Dear Father we learn what it is to give from the heart rather than what we have extra of. Raphael revealed to Tobias how generosity is done. Jesus remarks the same. But we also learn to praise and give Glory to God in the doing. What little I have may it be given in a generous spirit with a prayer of thankfulness. Should I have more then let it be the same, given in the same generous spirit as was done when there was very little. Always giving a bit more out of the generosity of our hearts. May we give out of love without thought of our needs and give a bit more not because it pleases us but pleases our Lord for doing so. May we offer our prayers along with our alms giving in all we do, may our prayers be constant in everything. Amen